It was 5:00 a.m. when the alarm went off. Meredith immediately moved into work mode, focusing entirely on getting ready for work. She was supposed to assist Dr. Bailey with two surgeries this morning, and she needed to get in early to prepare for the surgeries. But then she noticed the ring box on her nightstand. She opened the box and stared at the ring. She took it out of the box and examined it. She was overwhelmed by the ring's history; she was so touched that Derek's mother had given him the ring to give to her. Perhaps because she never felt that her mother loved her, she was thrilled to feel welcomed and accepted by her prospective mother-in-law.

Meredith had never thought she would get married, and now she was astounded to find herself engaged. She had been afraid that Derek would never forgive her for not telling him about Chrissy earlier, but he apparently had forgiven her. Or at least he loved her anyway. She smiled to herself as she put the ring back in the box and got up and buried it in her sock drawer, among the socks. She wanted Chrissy to be the first one to know, and she and Derek had agreed that they would tell her together tonight. So the ring needed to stay secret for now.

Meredith suddenly felt guilty for being so happy. Derek had come back into her life because of Chrissy's illness. She thought, for a moment, that she wouldn't be engaged if Chrissy wasn't sick and Bailey hadn't called Derek. It felt so wrong for her to benefit from her daughter's illness. But then she remembered that she had already written the letter to Derek and had prepared a photo album for him, informing him of his daughter, and she knew that he would have come to Seattle immediately, and probably they would have wound up engaged then. So maybe she has nothing to feel guilty about.

Then Meredith decided that she would do something to expiate her feelings of guilt. She was going to confront Darryl today, and do something good about Darla, before she told Chrissy about the engagement.

She got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. She found Izzie and Alex having breakfast.

"How was your date with Derek?" asked Izzie.

"We spent an hour talking to other parents whose children have or have had cancer." Meredith decided to go for the truth, but a limited version. She had a feeling that Izzie would be much more excited than she was to plan a wedding. And she and Derek agreed that Chrissy needed to be told first.

"That sounds difficult," said Izzie.

"Yes, it was. I'm going to do an errand this afternoon, so you may want to drive in yourselves."

"No problem," replied Alex.

Meredith spent the morning in surgery, but at lunchtime she headed up to the pediatric oncology wing. She spoke briefly with her favorite nurse, Cindy Woods, telling her that he needed to speak for a few minutes with Alice. Cindy was always marvelous with Chrissy.

"But Darla is not a surgical patient."

"I know. Alice and I met Tuesday night at the parent support group. I want to do something for her, and I need a few minutes to talk to her away from her daughter. Is that okay?"

"Sure."

Meredith knocked on the door to Darla's room, and Alice said, "Come in." Meredith felt as if she had walked back into time, to Chrissy's hospitalization. The young girl lying in the bed was bald and thin, and her mother sat besides her reading a book. Meredith had spent so many hours reading and talking to Chrissy. She noticed that Darla had very beautiful, expressive brown eyes, and she was looking at Meredith with curiosity.

"Hi Alice, and you must be Darla. I'm Meredith, and I've come to speak to your mommy for a few minutes. Nurse Cindy will read you a story. I brought a book for you, Stellaluna."

"Thank you," whispered Darla.

"You're very welcome. I have a little girl, and she loves Stellaluna."

"Is she sick, too?"

"Yes, she is."

"I hope she gets better."

"Me, too. And I hope you get better, too."

"Let's talk," said Alice, standing up so the nurse could take her seat. She walked with Meredith to a small conference room, and they both sat down next to each other.

"You're a doctor here?"

"A surgical resident. I'm in training to be a surgeon."

"But your daughter does have cancer?"

"Yes, leukemia."

"You didn't mention you were a doctor yesterday."

"I was there as a parent, not a doctor."

"So what did you want to talk about?"

"I want to help with Darla's father. I know what it's like to be rejected by your father. My dad left when I was five. Anyway, I think Darla deserves to have her dad visit her. That's just the minimum he should do. She should know her dad loves her."

"Why do you think you'll be successful?"

"I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a try. I can't really explain it, but I just feel I need to do this for Darla."

"Okay, it's worth a try. I know it would make Darla happy even if I'd rather take him out and shoot him myself. He's an in-house marketing executive with Starbucks."

"At the main office in downtown Seattle?"

"Yes."

Meredith knew Derek wanted to come, but she thought she'd be more likely to be successful on her own. "Do you think he'd be dangerous?"

"No. He's a pussycat. A scairdy cat when it comes to cancer, but still harmless."

"Okay then. I got the afternoon off, so I'll see what I can do." Meredith had told Bailey she had an important errand to do, and Bailey had told her it would be no problem. Meredith was so grateful for all the help that she had gotten; she hoped that she could help Darla.

She decided it would be best to look official and wear scrubs. Maybe wearing scrubs would get her in the door. She went to the downtown office, and she asked to see Darryl. The front desk told him that "Dr. Grey is here to see you," and she was allowed up to see him. His office was on the 21st floor. The view of Seattle was magnificent she noticed, as she was escorted to his office. She also noted there were maybe a dozen photos of Darla in the office, starting with a newborn photo and ending with a photo when she looked about three and healthy. Some of the photos were with a younger, happier Alice. Meredith hadn't asked if they were divorced, but seeing the photos, she realized that they might still married.

"Dr. Grey, are you my daughter's doctor?" asked Darryl, who was impeccably dressed in a business suit.

Meredith sat down in the chair opposite Darryl. "I'm a surgical resident at Seattle Grace, but I'm not your daughter's doctor. I met Alice Tuesday night at the parent support group. I also have a daughter who is fighting cancer. She has leukemia."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I know it's an awful thing to have a sick child. At the meeting Tuesday, Alice said that Darla asks every day if her father is going to come visit."

"Look, I'm sure you mean well, but I can't do it."

"No one wants to do it. Everyone wants to have a healthy child. Me, I'd love to walk away and pretend my daughter is healthy. I know how you feel. It's awful to see your child lose her hair and throw up and get sick from the medicine. My daughter's going to have a bone marrow transplant soon, and she may well die. Having to think about the possibility my daughter could die is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. But my daughter needs me, and your daughter needs you."

"I'm just not strong enough."

"Look, the reason I came is because I know what it's like to want your dad and miss him. My own father left me when I was five. My mom was happy to have him gone; it made things easier for her. But it hurt to know my dad didn't want me. You're lucky. Alice has been telling Darla that you're travelling for business. She hasn't told her that you can't handle having a sick child. Darla may well die, and you're never going to forgive yourself if you're not there for her. Being a parent is not just about taking kids to the park and the zoo, and buying Christmas presents. Being a parent means being there when your kid needs you, even if your kid is dying. You don't have to be there 24/7 the way Alice is. You could visit once a week for an hour. But you should visit."

"I know I should."

"What about your colleagues? Do they know your daughter is sick?"

"No."

"My colleagues have been great supports. They've taken me out for a drink when I needed a drink. They've sat with Chrissy when I've needed a break. I wouldn't be able to do what I do with Chrissy by myself. And I've used my family and medical leave to hang out with my daughter." She decided it was time to talk about his daughter. "I met Darla today. She does look sick. She's bald. She's thin. But she has amazing expressive eyes, and she was happy to have a nurse read her a book while I met with Alice. You could just read her a book or two. But she should know her dad loves her. And you should tell your colleagues and get support from them and from your family members. This isn't something you can do on your own. And Alice needs you. I see you still have photos of her around here. If you feel anything for Alice or Darla, you should stop by the hospital."

"I'll think about it, Dr. Grey. And good luck with your daughter. I have to go back to work."

Meredith got up and left the office. She wasn't sure she had gotten through to Darryl, but she tried, and that was good enough. It was now time to go home and tell Chrissy the good news. And once she and Derek told Chrissy the good news, there would be no going back. Meredith realized that she wanted to make dinner tonight special, so she texted Derek, "Ok if I buy a special dessert?" He immediately texted back, "yes," so she headed to her favorite bakery.

She enjoyed walking in downtown Seattle on a lovely day. She had so few opportunities to take wander around downtown since she moved back to Seattle; first she was busy as an intern, then as a pregnant intern and a single mom and resident, and lately as the single mom of a child in cancer treatment. She walked through the Pike Place Marketplace and entered Cupcake Royale. She had fun choosing a dozen cupcakes, including several of Chrissy's favorite, the Kate cupcake, and chocolate with pink icing.

After buying the cupcakes, she texted Cristina, "Please come for dinner tonight 6:30 p.m. Cupcakes!"

Cristina texted back immediately, "A special occasion?"

"For now, an ordinary dinner, but please come."

"Okay. Will come."

Meredith drove home carefully. So much had gone wrong in her life, she was extra careful when driving. As soon as she walked in the door at home, Chrissy spotted the cupcake box and shouted, "Mommy, you brought cupcakes. Yummy, yummy."

Meredith was thrilled see Chrissy so excited by food. "Yes, I got some of your favorites for dessert tonight. I'll put them in the kitchen, and then I'll be back."

"Is it your birthday, Daddy?" Chrissy asked, looking at her father, who was sitting beside her on the sofa with a book in his hand.

"No one's birthday," Meredith answered. "Just a special treat for dessert tonight. I'll be back in a minute."

Meredith walked into the kitchen and saw Carolyn Shepherd working on dinner, which appeared to be spaghetti and meatballs. "I brought some cupcakes for dessert."

"That's wonderful," said Carolyn with a smile. "A special event tonight?"

"You'll see," said Meredith. "Derek and I have to talk to Chrissy first. Right now, it's just an ordinary dinner with a special dessert."

"I love cupcakes."

"I think everyone does." Meredith frowned. "I hope Derek does. I know he's a healthy eater, but a cupcake once in a while can't hurt."

"Derek likes cupcakes. He has never refused cake at a birthday party or other special event, and we have lots of special Shepherd events."

"Good to know. I got a selection, so I hope everyone will be able to find something they like. But only after Chrissy gets first choice."

"That was very considerate of you."

"Thanks. Now I've got to talk to Chrissy." Meredith went back into the living room and sat on the sofa besides Derek. Derek picked up Chrissy and put her in his lap, with her face forward, watching both him and Meredith.

"Hi Chrissy, I hope you had a good day with Daddy and Grandma."

"I had fun. Daddy and I played Candyland, and I won three times."

"Wow! That's great. Daddy and I have some news for you. Daddy asked me to marry him last night, and I said yes."

Chrissy clapped. "That's great. Do I get a brother or sister now?"

Meredith smiled. "Not now but maybe some day. Right now we're just going to get married. The wedding is this Sunday, and you're going to be our flower girl."

"Is that why you got cupcakes?"

"Yes, Daddy and I are now engaged, so we're going to have a little party tonight. But Daddy and I wanted to tell you first."

"Am I going to get a new dress?"

"Yes."

"But I can't go to the store."

"We're going to shop on the internet, using your IPAD. Aunt Izzie and Grandma can help. We want you to get a pretty dress."

"But I don't have any hair."

"I know, sweetie," said Derek. "That's because you're fighting cancer. Bald is beautiful and brave. We love you just the way you are."

"Can I get a special hat, Mommy?"

"Sure, sweetheart. But Daddy's right, bald is beautiful and brave."

"Are you going to get a new dress, Mommy?"

"Yes, and you can help me choose a dress. But it's going to be very simple. I'm not a poufy dress bride."

"But you need a pretty dress, Mommy. What do daddies wear at weddings?"

"Daddy can wear a suit."

"Can I tell Grandma about the wedding?"

"Sure," replied Meredith.

Chrissy jumped off her father's lap and disappeared into the kitchen. Three minutes later Carolyn and Chrissy appeared. Both were smiling. "I understand congratulations are in order," said Carolyn.

"Yes, mom, we're getting married on Sunday."

"That's wonderful." Carolyn was excited for Derek, but suddenly she realized that she was going to have four very unhappy daughters.

Derek watched her face fall, and he realized what she was thinking. "Mom, it's going to be okay. We're planning on doing a video link so my sisters and their families can watch."

"That's very thoughtful, Derek. I know your sisters would all want to be here to celebrate with you. You were there for Kathleen, Nancy, and Lizzie at their weddings, walking them down the aisle."

"Fortunately, guys don't need someone walking them down the aisle."

"Girls don't either," said Meredith, conscious that she planned to walk down the aisle without a man.

"You can do whatever you want, Meredith," said Carolyn. "Just as long as you invite me!"

"Well, we are trying to keep the ceremony very small," advised Derek. "You and Chrissy will represent the Shepherd family. I'm going to ask Bailey if she'll conduct the ceremony, and we'll have Meredith's roommates, Alex, Izzie, and George, and Meredith's best friend Cristina."

"What about Susan and Thatcher?" asked Carolyn.

"We should invite Susan," said Meredith. "She's taken a big interest in Chrissy. I don't think Thatcher would come."

"Mer, let that be his choice."

"Well, even if he comes, he's not walking me down the aisle."

"That's fine, sweetheart. It's our wedding; we can do what we want. As long as you're the bride and Chrissy's the flower girl, I'm happy," said Derek with a smile.